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Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (2:58 PM)

Good afternoon everyone...hope all is well..want you to remember "Ken" in your thoughts and prayers..He's one of the regulars on our chats and a big fan of fantasy racing. He's fighting a bad illness right now and we want to wish him the best and if he was with us right now he's say "Come on boy let's get this partaaaaayyyy started!"

Barry (Rutland, VT)

Guru, your team was looking pretty darn good right up to the finish -- I'm sure the Blue Deuce took some pleasure in getting the best of his brother. As for this weekend, I'm looking to round out my prelim team and need two from the following: 00, 1, 26, and 42. Your thoughts on the prospects of these four would be greatly appreciated. Also, did Bill Elliott just decide to park it late in the race? Was running in the low 20's and then it came up that he was out of the race -- just wondering. Many thanks from up north.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:00 PM)

Barry...first I was looking good until the end and for the second straight week my team fell apart at the seems..Second, not sure what happened to Elliott. I was like you..looked up he was on the track and next time I looked he was in the garage..I'd go with 42 and 1 or 00 and 1..

Jo-Anne (Manchester)

Hi Mark -- How do you think Juan Pablo will fare this weekend? He's run into a bit of bad luck in a couple of the most recent races -- is his head in the right spot to have a strong finish to the season? Thank you.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:03 PM)

I'd be more worried about Montoya because he's never really married up to Phoenix that well with finishes of 17,16,17 and 24th in last four starts. On the plus side, during the last race on a flat, one-mile track at NH he finished second. Still, I'd probably stay away from him this weekend. Just below him I think Greg Biffle and Kyle Busch will be better picks along with Carl Edwards and maybe David Reutimann.

Lorraine (Augusta)

Hello Mark, will the 48's crash last weekend change their strategy for the last two races? I know some will think that he will need to now be more aggressive and not just sit back, but I'm of the mind that it might be the opposite -- slightly more cautious and less risk-adverse given the shrunken lead. Also, will my favorite Mark Martin give him a run for his money this weekend? Thank you for imparting some wisdom.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:04 PM)

Lorraine, I think Jimmie goes for the win this weekend because he's red hot there with three wins and a fourth place finish in last four races. Then he can breathe a little easier going into Miami. I think both Mark and Tony Stewart will give JJ a run for his money.

Chuck (Worcester)

Yo Guru, who's looking better this weekend, Smoke or the Hambone? Do you think they'll both finish in the top 5? Any chance that Kahne sneaks into the top 10 this week? Thanks my man.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:06 PM)

I have made Smoke my number one pre-race pick and put Hamlin at number five. That tells you I think both should be up front when it's over. As for Kahne, I've got him ranked 14th. That means I think he's got an outside shot at a top-10, but I really don's see it happening..

Mike (Utah)

Wow Mark, you were doing so good until the last 5 laps. Of course, you could have been like me and had two of your top guys taken out with wrecks. So what do you see in the crystal ball for the next two weeks? I need two big weeks to get to the top of my standings. I have 48-5-42-29-6 locked in with big premiums, but would it be better to drop a few to look someplace else?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:09 PM)

Yo Mike, appreciate everybody reminding me I went from a hero to a zero will five laps to go at Texas...lol...I'd keep the 48 and the 5 locked in..but I would consider swapping out 42,29, and 6 when the dust settles from practice and qualifying...and I have a chance to talk with the crew chiefs..Phoenix used to be an awfully good track for Harvick, which makes it a little crazy trying to figure out why he ran so poorly there earlier this year.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:09 PM)

Yo Mike, appreciate everybody reminding me I went from a hero to a zero will five laps to go at Texas...lol...I'd keep the 48 and the 5 locked in..but I would consider swapping out 42,29, and 6 when the dust settles from practice and qualifying...and I have a chance to talk with the crew chiefs..Phoenix used to be an awfully good track for Harvick, which makes it a little crazy trying to figure out why he ran so poorly there earlier this year.

Jordan (Pasadena Tx)

If NASCAR is considered a sport does that make anyone who drives a car a athlete?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:11 PM)

Absolutely Jordon this guys are athletes..hand-eye coordination..mental focus on razor edge for 3 to four hours..lose eight to ten pounds a race at times..Yes, these guys are athletes.

Daniel (Indiana)

Hey mark, looks like AJ did quite well in his new Ford last weekend. Should I pick him this weekend? and does Brad rebound this weekend?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:12 PM)

AJ ran better in that Ford than I thought he would..Not sure he'd be a great pick for this weekend, though. I rate Keselowski three or four spots better.

Steven (Texas)

hey mark, who do you think the following guys will fare come sunday: Martin, Johnson, Reutimann, Ku.Busch, Newman, Juan, Brad K. and Hornish.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:13 PM)

Martin and Johnson have a chance to run top-five and win..Kurt is potential top-5 no worse than top-10..Newman is potential top-10..Montoya, Brad K and Hornish are potential top-15.

zilla (mn)

Hey guru need some advice right now i got 48 11 18 88 6 let it roll or do some rearranging? thanks zilla

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:14 PM)

That wouldn't be too bad a team for Phoenix going in. Wouldn't be the worst team in the world if you kept it intact, but I would keep my options open.

RJ (Suwanee, Ga.)

Guru, The Yahoo C Group really is up in the air this week but it's 25% of your team so you can't afford a mistake here this late in the season. Please rank this group and give some insight as to why. 12, 43, 44, 47, 77 THANKS!

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:17 PM)

I like Ambrose the best in this group because road racing background actually helps a little on a flat track like Phoenix..12 is second choice with Keselowski certainly good enough to match David Stremme's 18th earler this at Phoenix..Not to mention Penske flat track program is pretty solid top to bottom..Then, 77 for reason I just mentioned.. followed by 43 and 44 who will be good, but not great.

Tazman (Detroit,Michigan)

Mark I'm only 66 points behind in my yahoo fantasy league after being down 348 at race 24, need to score big the next 2 weeks. Besides the 48 and 5 dose the 18 or 16 stand a chance of wining. Who do you like or is there any changes I should make Group A need one. 48,5,18,16 Group B need two:00,2,11,14 Group C need one: 77,43,47 what do you think?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:20 PM)

Good luck catching up..18 and 16 have a chance to win at Phoenix given their past records..In group "A" I'd rank them just like you have them 48,5,18,16..In group "B"..14,2,11,00..In group "C"..47,77, and 43..

Billy (TN)

All Knowing-All Seeing-Provider of the Points, Please rank these 44, 43, 12, 77 Thanks for all the help this season.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:20 PM)

77,12..43,44..

Aaron (Texas)

I am down in 6th place in a homemade racing league we pick and 3 drivers who can i pick in the 3 besides the 5-48 and 24? everyone picks them every week and i need something new to move up. thanks.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:21 PM)

How about 14,2, and 11...

andy (cincy)

Mark, I need some help this week! In a serious freefall in scc! I know Martin has been good on the flat tracks this year but who else is good? Is the 11 worth adding this week?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:22 PM)

The 5 has been good on the flat tracks this year, but Kurt Busch has been good on them too along with Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch.

RAY GORDON REID ( FORT APACHE AZ 85926)

QUESTION TO MARK GARROW GOOD WEDNEDAY GURU WHO DOES THE PHOENIX GURU HAVE SUNDAU

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:23 PM)

Ray Gordon...I've got Tony Stewart my numero uno pick for Phoenix.

Nick Rolando (Orlando)

Mark, typing this in IT Management class. Thoughts on the line-up of 5-14-11-77? Thanks Mark!

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:24 PM)

Nick on paper that looks pretty sporty..now get back to work or if the professor is boring tell him/her spice it up or "The Guru" will bring it "in house".

JD (Boston)

If I had to choose between the 39, 44, 00 or the 47 for Phoenix- who would give me the best shot at a good finish?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:25 PM)

I think it would almost be a coin flip between Newmand and Reutimann..slight edge to Newman.

Brett (Iowa)

Thoughts and prayers are with Ken. Guru, pretty sure I can rap up the title this week but need a lil advice. First off I have 1 start left with each the 42,39,14. Who should I put in my prelim lineup and who should I save for next week? Also is this the time I use the 47's last start? Thanks.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:27 PM)

I'd go with the 14..42 will be a lot stronger at Homestead than he'll be at Phoenix. As for the 47, I think he can run top-15 if nothing breaks or happens to him on pit road..rate him slightly better at Phoenix than Homestead.

Andy (Westfield)

THANKS for the insight last week, starting Gordon over JJ and starting Hamlin. I just wish I wouldn't have changed Keslo over AJ last minute. Now onto this weeks race. With only one allocation left on many drivers, lets play start this week or next. 48 or 5 - start 48 this week and 5 next week?, 14 and 2 start this week and 42 next week? Also, 47 start this week or next?Which are some other drivers that are not mentioned above that have strong showings at HOMESTEAD (9, 00, 88, 31, etc.)?Thanks again, as we were able to solidify 3rd place in our league and starting to make 2nd place nervous.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:29 PM)

48 this week and 5 next week makes sense..14 and 2 this week and hold 42 for Miami..good..47 again should be a little better at Phoenix than Miami..I like the 9 and 00 at Homestead..88 is running great, but can anyone be any more snakebit than Dale Jr.?..

brian (cary, nc)

i have the 48, 5, 18, 88 and 21. I know i gotta replace the 21 but with who and should i hang on to the 88 or what?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:31 PM)

Brian..I would consider swapping the 1 for the 88..Hornish might be a good basement pick this week..He seems to run a whole lot better on flat tracks than he does the ones with banking.

Joe (LA)

Mark- how do you go fromtop 5finish to running out of gas and ending up at 30 or so. Dale Jr did it last weekend. I know he ran out of gas but from top 5 to 30. Maybe top 5 to 15, not many cars on lead lap was it?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:32 PM)

Joe, it's easy to fall that far when you sit on pit road for three laps and what everyone whiz by..Just couldn't restart the stupid thing and he sat there and he sat there....

Andy (Westfield)

Lord of the Lugnuts - As sleepers go, how do you think McMurray or Truex Jr will do this week?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:33 PM)

I think both Andy need to have an eye kept on them. They could turn out to be nice dark-horse picks.

Joe (Chicago)

Jordan from Pasadena is a loser. He asked the same stupid question of David Newton in a chat earlier today.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:35 PM)

Jordan isn't a loser...just someone who's probably misinformed. Because if you actually think these guys are not athletes you're crazy.

Dale JR (NC)

Mark, do we put trust in me again if not who plus what floor picks you see

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:35 PM)

Sorry man..but you keep breaking my heart.....

Jake (Forest City)

What is the 09 deal with Gillie? Is it the HMS linked Chevy with a chance?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:36 PM)

He might be worth a thought or two..this car could be more competitive than his Joe Gibbs ride last week. Let's see how he practices and qualifies.

David Gilliland (NC)

GuruAm I a start and park car this week?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:38 PM)

No you are not.

Rick (FL)

Mark go 18 or 11 and drop 88 for.....Thanks for the help

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:42 PM)

I rate Hamlin just ahead of Kyle Busch..I'd drop the 88 for the 1, maybe the 26..and if you want to go real low and open up some cap space maybe Sam Hornish, Jr..

Billy (TN)

Guru, I thought Kahne ran out of fuel when he fell back on the last lap, But I read this week that the new R6 engine failed. Which is true? Thanks

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:44 PM)

To be honest haven't heard definitely..but during race on our PRN broadcast one of our pit guys mentioned Kasey thought the engine was going "flat"..I talked with Kenny Francis his crew chief about the new engine Sunday morning at Texas. He said they had replaced the camshaft that had caused the problems before and felt pretty comfortable it would live the full 500 miles.

Stuart (Brookesfield)

I can go 48, 5, 18, with the 88 and 7 or the 09 and 1, which is better?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:45 PM)

Stuart..both of those last combos are petty scary..I'd go 09 and 1 though.

Andy (Westfield)

Answer to how you think sleepers Truex or McMurray will do this week didn't show up (must be technical issue).Also, lets see how clear your crystal ball is. Who gets the pole? You are 100% with an earlier pick this season of Martin.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:47 PM)

Must have miss hit the button..Truex and McMurray are dark-horse top-10 finishers this week, no question about it. As for the pole, I'm going with Martin again..

Jesse (IL)

GURU I need help! I'm in a Fantasy league where I get point s for qualifying as well as the race. Out of these three groups who would you take at Phoenix? A: 48,14,24,5 B. 18,33,29,88 C. 6,12,77,98

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:48 PM)

Here's how I would rank group "A"..14,48,5,24...Group "B"..18,33,29,88... Group "C"..77,12,6, and 98..

Oldfart (St Paul MN)

Oh grizzled guru of grinding sheet metal what do you think of 48-5-11-26-7?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:54 PM)

You had me all the way up to the 7...Do you know something I don't? Or do you figure law of averages has finally got to give him a finish in in top-20..Only two top-10 in 14 starts..and in last sevebn races at he's finished between 24 and 41st..and overall average finish at Phoenix is 28.9..Am I missing someting? Or is Oldfart going with a gut instinct that could be last night's left over turkey roll?..lol

Billy Bad Butt (NC)

Great Guru MarkDo ya think the double refile starts will make a diff this week?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:54 PM)

It has just about every race and it should be the same at Phoenix.

Billy (TN)

And the Guru was heard saying "These are my top 20 for the Desert".

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:56 PM)

Okay, I can take a hint...Tony Stewart 2. Jimmie Johnson 3. Mark Martin 4. Kurt Busch 5. Denny Hamlin 6. Greg Biffle 7. Kyle Busch8. Carl Edwards 9. Jeff Gordon 10.Juan Pablo Montoya 11.Martin Truex, Jr.12.Ryan Newman 13.David Reutimann 14.Kasey Kahne 15.Clint Bowyer16.Kevin Harvick17.Marcos Ambrose18.Jeff Burton19.Brian Vickers20.Jamie McMurray21.Dale Earnhardt, Jr.22.Joey Logano23.Sam Hornish, Jr.24.Matt Kenseth25.Brad Keselowski26.Casey Mears27.David Ragan28.Reed Sorenson29.A.J. Allmendinger30.Paul Menard

kevin (tx)

so at the beginning of the year i had this race pegged for stewart and hamlin, figured theyd be in the chase and locks to dominate phx. but im out of starts for both of them so im looking at Juan, Newman, Reutiman, and Kurt. good? what about 88 6 or others around there?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:57 PM)

I think Kurt will be really good this weekend..after him rate 42 as second best choice than Newman and Reutimann..88 should be good but continues to be snake bit..Truex could be a good substitute for him..Hornish for Ragan.

Kenny (Southpark)

I have the 21 as my basement car id SCC and need to replace him, I can go from the 1 down, who is your suggestion?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:59 PM)

I think Truex will be a nice pick this week..McMurray will be worth a thought and Dale Jr...plus Sam Hornish, Jr. too.

Mike (Utah)

Mark, I can tell Jordan (Pasadena Tx) has never been in a race care. If he really wants to know if Racing is a sport all he needs to do is find a Kart track and run a Rotax or Tag kart around the track for 10 minutes and then see if He can even get out of the Kart. These guys make NBA stars look like childs play with what they go through.

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:59 PM)

I agree with that and maybe Jordan can go out and do what you suggested as a learning experience.

Billy Bad Butt (NC)

Is any Rousch driver runnin the new Ford engine this week?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (3:59 PM)

I think Kenseth and Ragan again will have new engine under the hood.

Jonny P (Texas)

Garrow, your Top 25 this week?????

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (4:00 PM)

Just sent it out a few minutes ago..click on entire transcript if you don't see it.

Oldfart (St Paul MN)

Ummmmm . . . I did have burritos for lunch but with the screwy way they did the driver pionts this round doesn't leave many options so it's either the 7 or 71. I assume you would rather do the 71?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (4:01 PM)

Nothing like a bad burrito to make Oldfart..well you know...lol...and yes I'll take the 71 over the 7.

Billy Bad Butt (NC)

Mark Da GuruYa must have missed this post before.Is any Rousch driver runnin the new Ford engine this week?

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (4:01 PM)

No I answered it already..just looked at transcript again..Kenseth and Ragan from what I was told at Texas.

zach (arnold missouri)

go fox warriors

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (4:02 PM)

Okay????

Mark "Guru" Garrow

  (4:03 PM)

That's going to do it folks..again keep our buddy Ken in your thoughts and prayers...we'll be chatting Sunday at 12:30 eastern time. So until then may the force be with you..It's sad but true "The Guru has left the building!"..have a great week everybody!